If school reformers insist we follow a business model, I propose a more current model and reporting system– the concept of triple bottom line accounting has gained increasing traction among businesses. Triple bottom line accounting considers that a company’s responsibility is to stakeholders, that is, anyone who is influenced, either directly or indirectly, by the actions of the firm (not shareholders), for ecological and social performance in addition to financial performance.
Or more simply: people, planet, profit.
What if, like those businesses, we thought in these terms of sustainability? How will education we provide for our students support a sustainable future for them and for the world?
In school terms, 3 bottom lines could be:
- student demonstration of learning and well-being
- collaborative relationships and school community partnerships
- quantifiable measurements of achievement, attendance, etc.
What if we could look at this bigger world picture for educating our children?